Bernie unexpectedly meets Sandra Bland's mother & sister & it was AWESOME!

[kpete]

?1444924375

“Hello, I’m sorry, are you Mr. Sanders?” I asked.

“I am,” he replied.

“Well, I’m just over there having dinner with the mother of Sandra Bland and I thought maybe you’d like to meet her.”

“Yes, please,” he replied.

I got up to walk back towards our table only to see that Shante, Sandra’s oldest sister, was already headed towards me. She is a woman who knows how to get things accomplished, so I was not surprised to see her coming after me to see if I needed support.

......................

“What happened to your daughter is inexcusable,” he said. “We are broken, and this has exposed us.” He then continued by promising that he would continue to #SayHerName #SandraBland and would not give up in the pursuit of justice.

The spontaneity of the moment lent sincerity to words unrehearsed, phrases unplanned, in an interaction that was never supposed to take place.


...................
The Rest:
http://soulunbound.com/2015/10/14/when-bernie-promised-to-sayhername-sandrabland/#comments
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/10/15/1432912/-Bernie-unexpectedly-meets-Sandra-Bland-s-mother-sister

[peacebird]

1. I especially love that Bernie has not used this moment in his campaign, he has a wonderful heart!

[rhett o rick]

78. I so agree. nm

[jkbRN]

2. That is amazing

[arcane1]

3. “We are broken, and this has exposed us.”

[azmom]

31. [phone]

[senz]

80. How could anyone say he doesn't understand?

He completely understands.

[ms liberty]

4. This is my candidate. Thanks for posting! n/t

[artislife]

5. I just posted this to my fb page

What a chance meeting, what a great reaction and he said her name.



And he didn't try to use this meeting as a brick to throw through another candidate's window to make an impact.

Thank you, Bernie.

[whathehell]

6. Wonderful.

Thanks for sharing.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. This says a lot about the Bland family.

I think they believe in him.

[magical thyme]

8. Hannah speaking to Bernie's decency:

We asked Senator Sanders if we could take a picture with him and he consented. He did not impose upon Ms. Geneva to ask for a picture of his own. He did not use the moment as an opportunity to promote his campaign. He took no record, he made no statement. He did not try to turn it into a publicity stunt. He simply made space for a sacred moment, and then let it pass without trying to gain anything from it.

[Cheese Sandwich]

9. That's what I was wondering

Thanks

[roguevalley]

24. he's an old soul, an advanced one. I am so glad for that family.

[JDPriestly]

33. So true.

[hopemountain]

68. yes, bernie has a depth

i value - the kind i hold sacred. if we elect him, his light can shine brighter.

[DianeK]

27. well said

[passiveporcupine]

32. He has a wonderful kind heart

and no agenda except to help others.

[cui bono]

57. He's the real deal. He really cares.

He NEEDS to be our next president, that is to say, WE NEED HIM to be our next president.

[yuiyoshida]

10. Thanks for posting

Just love Bernie!

[ruffburr]

11. Not One-

Other politician today would meet and converse with the Bland family without making a Media moment of it, complete with rehearsed platitudes and fan fair, Not Bernie,Once Again Bernie Shows his Class and authenticity, Feel the Bern!!!!!!

[arcane1]

21. He could've used them as sympathetic props in the debate, like O'Malley did.

But he has too much class, and RESPECT, for something that shameless.

[djean111]

48. I thought that what O'Malley did was tacky and opportunistic.

Especially given the Baltimore police crackdown thing that he started.

[demigoddess]

92. +1

tacky

[karynnj]

95. I suspect there are others, the point is you would never hear of it

I know of at least one other politician (or former politician) that has done things privately and quietly who would not have turned something like this into a campaign photo op. I suspect that the number of politicians who have done things like this may actually be pretty high.

[blondie58]

12. It does show the strength of

His character!! I love this man!

[SamKnause]

14. My sentiments exactly.

I just want to hug him.

Don't forget he will be on Ellen today and Bill Maher Real Time tomorrow night.

[840high]

18. Thanks for reminder.

[SamKnause]

19. You are most welcome.

Enjoy.

[NorthCarolina]

58. +1000

times.....me too.

[SamKnause]

13. Bernie is a fine man with integrity.

Sending good vibes to the family and friends of Sandra Bland.

[pnwmom]

15. That is wonderful. n/t

[WillyT]

16. Wow...

[Divernan]

17. Bernie (of course!) kept his promise;said her name in debate.

When each sacred moment appears and passes, it gives me renewed hope and confidence that the legacy of Sandra Bland’s struggle for justice is making it’s eternal mark in this world.

Senator Sanders was right. Her death was inexcusable; yet her legacy moves forward without yielding.

*Five days later, in the first Democratic Presidential Debate, Senator Bernie Sanders kept his promise to #SayHerName #SandraBland

[BeanMusical]

29. +1000

[Luminous Animal]

20. Such a lovely story so beautiful told.

[turbinetree]

22. He has been doing this ever since the 1960's

and this is remarkable-------------------------


Honk-----------------for a political revolution Bernie 2016

[Marty McGraw]

23. Thank you kpete

for showing this!

[highprincipleswork]

25. Think this just speaks for itself, like so much that Bernie says and does.

Love the shared sentiment, the coming together of common cause.

[Duval]

26. K&R eom

[Report1212]

28. We havent had a candidate with this little of ego since Jimmy Carter

This is something else

[BeanMusical]

30. I'm literally moved to tears.

[kpete]

37. This part got to me:

Bringing Ms. Geneva back over to the table, I felt my body trembling. The trembling continued as Ms. Geneva sat down next to Senator Sanders and they began to talk. I was not trembling out of fear or out of being star-struck, it was more that I was completely blown away by the unexpectedness of it all, the sacredness of the moment, and the sincerity of all involved. You do not often get to witness moments like that. Moments when agendas are laid aside and people who might not otherwise ever have the chance to connect without cameras watching can simply honor one another’s pain and humanity

.

http://soulunbound.com/2015/10/14/when-bernie-promised-to-sayhername-sandrabland/#comments

[BeanMusical]

47. This is wonderful.

[marym625]

51. Beautiful

Just beautiful. Can't stop crying. I actually, for the first time, feel like there is hope in ending government sanctioned murder of people of color.

[Aldo Leopold]

34. Incredible.

And beautiful.

And touching.

This really made my day.

[DrBulldog]

35. I have not done this in decades ... if ever ...

... I read this article and came to tears.

[JDPriestly]

36. K&R. My tribute to the human compassion that Bernie embodies.

That's who we need in the White House.

Human compassion and love.

[kenn3d]

38. Thanks kpete - This goes in my G+ feed right now.

"The spontaneity of the moment lent sincerity to words unrehearsed, phrases unplanned, in an interaction that was never supposed to take place. "

Hope it goes viral.

[Plucketeer]

39. A person such as this

would not waste precious people's time chasing money and endorsements for his second term.

[Hulk]

40. Bernie is what we sometimes refer to as "a genuine human being"!

This man makes me proud. I genuinely hope he is our nominee and WE win the White House again.

To have a President that is NOT beholdin to lobbyists is just what this country needs to save us from ourselves. It may be too late; but better late than never!

[Autumn]

41. The compassion and decency of this man astounds me. Five days later at the debate she spoke her name

Some posters complain because he didn't say something in a fund raising thank you email and completely ignore this.

[Le Taz Hot]

42. I read this on Facebook.

I'm amazed that certain people have found the fortitude NOT to come in on a positive Bernie thread and piss all over it. Maye they're evolving.

Seriously, this story is going viral on the internetz.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

43. Character.

Now get your ass to the top of the Greatest Page!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JI7]

44. so nice to see this

[questionseverything]

45. bout a week ago someone said,"o momma he is too good for us"

i said,"no, we deserve good"

i might of been wrong,he maybe too good for us

cnn has stopped bernietv from broadcasting the entire debate...we need lawyers

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251685174

[appalachiablue]

46. Wonderful to see this beautiful, strong family and Bernie's heart. Thank you.

[Dr Rise]

49. Love Bernie

[Go Vols]

50. K&R

[virtualobserver]

52. This made both me and my wife cry......he is such a wonderful man.

[MissDeeds]

53. What a wonderful man

I am so grateful he wants to be our president.



K&R

[snagglepuss]

54. Striking comment about a "determined righteous man and a grieving mother" on the soulunbound thread

"A moment that was to be the catalyst for a determined righteous man and a grieving mother to share and use as their kindle to light the raging fire of purpose and focus!"





A comment left by maxedaddy onsoulunbound.

[Rainngirl]

55. If that had happened with any of the repubs,

they would have had a blank look on their face and said, "Sandra who?" I love Bernie.

[KeepItReal]

56. A promise kept.

[Lucky Luciano]

59. Mensch. nt

[yodermon]

60. Just to be clear. This happened "5 days ago", before the debate, correct?

and he never mentioned it.

[magical thyme]

62. correct. nt

[Enthusiast]

61. This is my Bernie!

[jfern]

63. Bernie and his campaign never mentioned this

But he did remember to say her name during the debate.

[kenn3d]

64. keepin' it kicked

"...promising that he would continue to #SayHerName #SandraBland and would not give up in the pursuit of justice."

[bbgrunt]

65. He makes us proud to be human beings.

[malokvale77]

66. Oh wow...

I got choked up reading that.

I'm amazed there has been nearly 33,000 views of this thread and nobody has come in to shit on it.

Thank you for posting this kpete. It reinforces my support for the finest candidate I have seen in a few decades.

[Uncle Joe]

67. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, kpete.

[elmac]

69. Love it!

Thanks for posting.

[artislife]

70. Bumping this

because there is so much sludge on on this forum, lets get this one back to the top!

[SammyWinstonJack]

71. KnR

[tblue37]

72. K&R. nt

[jwirr]

73. This touches the heart when you think of this. I think that

the defense of Hillary and this accidental meeting with Sandra Bland's family tell us so much about the man. Who he really is.

So glad he took the time to speak with them. He really does care about people.

We can do nothing to bring her back but we can work to bring justice in her name.

[slipslidingaway]

74. “Yes, please,” he replied. knr nt

[stage left]

75. Bernie Sanders

We probably don't deserve him, but we need him badly.

[Live and Learn]

76. K&R nt

[avaistheone1]

77. k&r

[aidbo]

79. Kicked Thank you.

We asked Senator Sanders if we could take a picture with him and he consented. He did not impose upon Ms. Geneva to ask for a picture of his own. He did not use the moment as an opportunity to promote his campaign. He took no record, he made no statement. He did not try to turn it into a publicity stunt. He simply made space for a sacred moment, and then let it pass without trying to gain anything from it.

[madfloridian]

81. Loved this paragraph:

Bringing Ms. Geneva back over to the table, I felt my body trembling. The trembling continued as Ms. Geneva sat down next to Senator Sanders and they began to talk. I was not trembling out of fear or out of being star-struck, it was more that I was completely blown away by the unexpectedness of it all, the sacredness of the moment, and the sincerity of all involved. You do not often get to witness moments like that. Moments when agendas are laid aside and people who might not otherwise ever have the chance to connect without cameras watching can simply honor one another’s pain and humanity.

[Art_from_Ark]

84. Excuse me while I go get a handkerchief

If we don't elect this man to our highest office, we will have squandered a great opportunity.

[southerncrone]

82. K & R

Prime example he is a man of compassion & integrity. Just what we need in a President!

[AtomicKitten]

83. Genuinely heartfelt and wonderful moment. k&r

[delrem]

85. beautiful.

[emsimon33]

86. Thank you! I posted it on FB

Always so proud to wear my Bernie 2016 button!

[blackspade]

87. Awesome.

[cantbeserious]

88. True Colors Shining Through

eom

[demmiblue]

89. K&R

[LWolf]

90. This says it all for me.

We asked Senator Sanders if we could take a picture with him and he consented. He did not impose upon Ms. Geneva to ask for a picture of his own. He did not use the moment as an opportunity to promote his campaign. He took no record, he made no statement. He did not try to turn it into a publicity stunt. He simply made space for a sacred moment, and then let it pass without trying to gain anything from it.

Five days later, in the first Democratic Presidential Debate, Senator Bernie Sanders kept his promise to #SayHerName #SandraBland

[snagglepuss]

91. "He made space for a sacred moment, then let it pass without trying to gain anything from it."

Spirituality isn't about adhering to whatever dogma one subscribes to, it is the intuitive understanding and revering as shown here of what is profound and meaningful in life or in other words sacred.

[LWolf]

96. Yes. nt

[delrem]

93. kick

[99th_Monkey]

94. This story brought me to tears.

And Bernie is keeping his promise, as he did during the recent debate, when he invoked Sandra's name.

I absolutely love my candidate.

[delrem]

97. KeepItReal got pilloried just for mentioning this in the AA group.

I don't understand that.

One thing I do understand: That reaction is not a model of race relations and of discussion of racial issues that could possibly be of any benefit to the world. It is campaign specific and has been going on for long enough now that it is becoming definitive of the Democratic Party.

[artislife]

98. It is not a place for Sander Supporters

Lots of bad feelings. Netroots was when the door closed tight.

I wouldn't go in there, lets just post these things here and in the Bernie group

[delrem]

99. That's what the Hillary supporters said.

They said, in various ways: "go away, you racists"

[artislife]

100. That is true, too.

But it is a forum for African Americans, and I feel they deserve to be the gate keepers into their group. It isn't my place to challenge it.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter if it is "fair" or if it is "a Sanders free zone", because they get to decide how they want their group to be. We have to respect that.

There is a lot of hard feelings, but barging in is not going to make it any better. Let them have a place that they run as they see fit. It is just the same as a Bernie group or a Latino group. Each group gets to run their own group.

Anyway, it is a thread in the GDP, so everyone can read it or comment on it if they wish, or if they don't.

[delrem]

101. KeepItReal explained that he was African American.

That didn't make one fucking bit of difference.

What happened to KeepItReal in that OP is an abomination.

I don't "respect" it at all.

[artislife]

102. I hadn't been in to the AA group

Until like one minute ago looking for the original Liberal Stalwart 71 post back in the spring about the 2008 election and how shitty the Clintons were. It was the post that got me to join this site.

I saw what I thought was it, but it was a new post and I rec'ed it, then I looked to see where it was posted. I usually stay clear, because it makes me sad that I am not welcomed there because of who I support. But I get it, I am not a member.

So, I just knew what was posted in these few comments. But I have heard that some AAs are not welcomed, but every group has banned people and people they don't want to hear from. They just really cannot tolerate Bernie, at all.


But I am almost the same about Hillary so I cannot throw stones.

[delrem]

103. That's irrelevant to KeepItReal's OP, and his treatment.

Any thinking person will respect the fact that racism is a reality, that AA's get the full monty of it and have for centuries and that something must be done, and not even close to enough has been done. For example 1StrongBlackMan's sigline hits home: "Please Note: I AM NOT SAYING BERNIE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE ... AFTER ALL, HE MARCHED WITH MARTIN!" That's it in a nutshell: marching, waving hands, signing petitions, is obviously not enough when we live in a world where the problem not only persists, but is in some ways getting worse.

I understand that the fury is righteous.

I just wish the message weren't made so campaign specific, targeting such a small sector of the population, and even dividing that small sector by singling out a Democratic Party primary candidate. And that candidate's supporters.
I don't think that's fair.

And I have no respect for how KeepItReal got raked over the coals for his innocent post to the AA group.

[artislife]

104. I agree with this statement

I just wish the message weren't made so campaign specific, targeting such a small sector of the population, and even dividing that small sector by singling out a Democratic Party primary candidate. And that candidate's supporters.

I am not saying to respect what was done, but respect that it is a closed group that makes its own rules of behavior. They can include or exclude who they wish. If I were AA and treated as KeepItReal was, (I haven't read the thread...mainly because I know the reactions that tend to happen and it makes me sad)I would not like it. I chose not to go where I am not welcomed or even invited. If the Latino group was active (which it is not) and I was treated badly because of my support, it would hurt.

[delrem]

105. I wasn't talking about the AA group "as such" or per se.

I was talking about KeepItReal's OP, and the resulting threads.

Of course, all DUers respect DU's groups.